Description
These Keto Ricotta Meatballs are incredibly tender, moist, and bursting with rich Italian-inspired flavors, perfect for a low-carb lifestyle.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 recommended, substituting for Italian sausage and ground beef)
- 4 oz. whole milk ricotta cheese, drained
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup almond flour (super-fine blanched)
- 1/2 cup flaxseed meal
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil or olive oil, for cooking
- 1 (24-28 oz) jar Rao’s Homemade Marinara sauce (or similar keto-friendly)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, drained whole milk ricotta cheese, beaten eggs, finely grated Parmesan cheese, almond flour, flaxseed meal, Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Lightly wet your hands or use a small cookie scoop (approx. 1.5-2 inch diameter) to form uniform meatballs. Place the formed meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Heat 1 Tbsp avocado or olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear meatballs in batches, browning them on all sides (about 3-4 minutes per side). Transfer browned meatballs to a plate.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through (internal temperature 160°F / 71°C).
- Pour the jar of Rao’s Homemade Marinara sauce into a medium saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Gently add the cooked meatballs to the simmering sauce. Cover and let them simmer together for at least 10-15 minutes.
- Serve the Keto Ricotta Meatballs warm, optionally garnished with extra freshly grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil or parsley, over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, or your favorite keto-friendly pasta alternative.
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking, Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meatball (approx. 2 oz)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 75mg